RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The Oklahoma Baptist women's cross country team was picked to finish second in the 2023 Great American Conference coaches poll, the league announced Thursday afternoon.
The Bison garnered 109 total votes and one first-place nod to notch the second slot behind Ouachita Baptist, who received 121 votes (11) to top the rankings. Filling out the top five were Arkansas Tech (95), Harding (94), and East Central (85).
Head coach Brian Whitlock enters his second season on Bison Hill with high hopes as eight runners return to the program. Of those are junior Sophia Strange and senior Kayla McGruder, who each turned in multiple top-10 finishes a season ago.
Strange won the 2022 GAC cross country championship, a feat three other Bison have done since the program joined league competition in 2017.
OBU looks to reclaim their conference crown after winning the GAC five consecutive times from 2017-2021.
Oklahoma Baptist will begin its season on August 31 at the Rogers State Invitational in Claremore, Okla.
2023 GAC Women's Cross Country Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Ouachita Baptist - 121 (11)
2.
Oklahoma Baptist - 109 (1)
3
. Arkansas Tech - 95
4. Harding - 94
5. East Central - 85
6. Southern Arkansas - 71
7. Southern Nazarene - 60
8. Southeastern Okla. St. - 53
9. Southwestern Okla. St. - 39
10. Northwestern Okla. St. - 33
11. Henderson State - 21
12. Arkansas-Monticello - 11
For more information on the OBU track and field and cross country teams, follow them on Twitter (
@OBU_TrackXC) and Instagram (
@OBU_TrackXC).
